Anti-theft ring assembly and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

An anti-theft assembly for deterring theft of a ring is provided. The anti-theft assembly includes a base that can be used to support an electronic article surveillance marker; a product engagement member including a support member that supports the ring during use and a locking member that secures the support member to the base; and an attachment member for securing the ring to the support member. In one embodiment, the support member and the locking member are a single, unitary member. In another embodiment, the support member and the locking member are separate members. Once assembled, upon applying a twisting force to the ring the engagement member rotates within the opening so that the attachment member is not broken.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/867,852, filed Sep. 28, 2015, entitled “Anti-Theft Ring Assembly andMethod of Using the Same,” which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/089,697, filed Nov. 25, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,144,274, entitled “Anti-Theft Ring Assembly and Method of Using theSame,” and which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/052,072, filed Mar. 19, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,699, entitled“Anti-Theft Ring Assembly and Method of Using the Same,” the entirecontents of the above-identified applications being incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to an anti-theft assembly for use witha ring and, more specifically, to an anti-theft ring assembly thatrotates when a twisting or rotational force is applied in order toprevent breakage of the assembly.

BACKGROUND

It is well known in the art of theft deterrence to use electronicarticle surveillance (EAS) sensors in order to discourage the theft ofconsumer products. In use, EAS sensors trigger an alarm if not detachedor disarmed before the product is removed from the store. For manyproducts, electronic sensors have been very effective in deterringtheft. However, such sensors can be difficult to attach to certainproducts, for example jewelry, and can often be easily removed from suchitems even when attached. One higher price item that is difficult toeffectively attach an electronic sensor to is a ring. It can bedifficult to attach sensors to the band of a ring because if the sensorsare overly rigid or cumbersome they can limit the customer's ability totry on the ring before purchasing. However, if the tag is easily removedit will not serve as a deterrent. Thus, tags to prevent theft are oftenattached to rings by using a thin, yet flexible, tear resistant plasticstrap.

One such tag is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,498. In the '498 patentthe anti-theft tag includes an elongated housing that is attached to thering by a tear resistant strap that is secured to an outer surface ofthe tag by a pressure sensitive adhesive. The tag is inserted within aring display system that includes slots for receiving the body of theanti-theft tag. While generally effective, attaching the strap to theoutside of a tag may allow a consumer to tamper with the attachment ofthe strap in an attempt to remove it.

Another such tag is U.S. Pat. No. 7,714,721 which is issued to theassignee of the present application. In the '721 patent the anti-thefttag includes an elongated housing for accommodating an EAS marker, aproduct support member that locks into the housing and which supportsthe ring, and a flexible, tear resistant strap for securing the ring tothe support member, with the strap being disposed at least partiallywithin the housing during use. In use, the tear resistant strap extendsover the ring shank and the ends of the strap are received within thecavity of the housing in order to protect the strap from unauthorizedremoval by a consumer.

SUMMARY

Although the aforementioned tags provide a level of security againsttheft of the ring, it has been discovered that applying a sufficienttorque can break the straps that attach the ring to the housing. Forexample, in prior art ring tags the housing can be held and the ringrotated or twisted until the strap breaks.

The anti-theft ring assembly of the present application includes a basethat can be used to support an EAS marker, a product engagement memberincluding a support member that supports the ring during use and alocking member that secures the support member to the base, and anattachment member for securing the ring to the support member. Theproduct support member and locking member may be separate components, ormay be formed as a single, unitary member. The base may be a card thatincludes an opening for receiving a portion of the support member therethrough. In one embodiment, the support member has a curved or arcuateconstruction for supporting a circular shank portion of the ring and theattachment member is an adjustable cable tie.

In use, the product engagement member is inserted at least partiallythrough the opening in the card. In one embodiment, the productengagement member includes a separate support member and locking member.In this embodiment, the support member includes a pair of legs that areinserted within the opening from a first side of the card duringassembly. A portion of the support member remains adjacent the firstside of the card, while the legs extend through the opening and arepositioned adjacent a second side of the card, opposite the first side.The locking member is then inserted over the legs of the support memberfrom a second side of the card until the locking member is secured inplace over the legs of the support member. The ring is then placed onthe support member and a cable tie is inserted through an opening in thelocking member, through the opening in the card, around a shank portionof the ring, back through the opening in the card, and through a secondopening in the locking member. The tie is then secured to itself,selectively tightened, and cut, as is known in the art.

In another embodiment, the support member and locking member are formedas a single, unitary component. In one embodiment, the locking memberincludes legs that are inserted through the opening and are positionedadjacent a second side of the card, opposite the first side. The ring isthen placed on the support member and a tie is inserted through anopening in the support member, around a shank portion of the ring, andis then secured to itself. The tie is then selectively tightened andcut, as is known in the art. In another unitary embodiment, after thering is placed on the support member, the tie is inserted through anopening in the locking member, through the opening in the card, around ashank portion of the ring, back through the opening in the card, andthrough a second opening in the locking member. The tie is then securedto itself, selectively tightened, and cut, as is known in the art.

In any of the embodiments, once the ring is secured to the supportmember, it is sufficiently difficult to remove the ring from the cardwithout cutting the attachment member so as to discourage theft of thering by a consumer. If the consumer attempts to break the attachmentmember by twisting the ring, it is extremely difficult because theengagement member is difficult to grasp due to its small size. If thering itself is twisted, the engagement member likewise twists within theopening, such that insufficient torque is applied to the attachmentmember to break it.

The anti-theft ring assembly described herein is tamper resistant, evenwhen a consumer rotates or twists the ring, thus discouragingunauthorized removal of the ring. The anti-theft ring assembly also doesnot improperly interfere with a consumer trying on the ring, is readilyattached to the ring and is aesthetically pleasing. The features of theanti-theft ring assembly as described herein may be used with any of avariety of rings, and may be supported on a variety of display devicesas discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will beapparent from the following description of particular embodiments, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like referencecharacters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Thedrawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placedupon illustrating the principles disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of a first embodiment of ananti-theft ring assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the support member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear, perspective view of the anti-theft ring assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the engagement member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the support member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 during assembly;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the support member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 during assembly;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the support member andlocking member of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 in an unsecuredposition, during assembly;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the support member andlocking member of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 in a securedposition attached to the base during assembly;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the support member,locking member and tie of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 duringassembly;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the support member andtie of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 during assembly;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the support member andtie of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 during assembly;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the support member,locking member and tie of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 duringassembly;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of a tie-cutting gun in use with theanti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 during assembly;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the support member,locking member and tie of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1 fullyassembled;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the support member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the support member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the locking member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, rear view of the locking member of theanti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a front, perspective view of the anti-theft ring assembly ofFIG. 1 fully assembled illustrating rotation of the ring assembly in afirst position;

FIG. 21 is a front, perspective view of the anti-theft ring assembly ofFIG. 1 fully assembled illustrating rotation of the ring assembly in asecond, rotated position;

FIG. 22 is a front, perspective view of a second embodiment of ananti-theft ring assembly according to the present disclosure duringassembly;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the engagement memberof the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 22 during assembly;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the support member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 22 during assembly;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the locking member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 22 during assembly;

FIG. 26 is a top view of the engagement member of the anti-theft ringassembly of FIG. 22 during assembly;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the support member andtie of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 22 during assembly;

FIG. 28 is a front, perspective view of the anti-theft ring assembly ofFIG. 22 fully assembled;

FIG. 29 is a front plan view of an alternate card for the anti-theftring assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a front plan view of an alternate card for the anti-theftring assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a front plan view of an alternate card for the anti-theftring assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a front, perspective view of a third embodiment of ananti-theft ring assembly according to the present disclosure duringassembly;

FIG. 33 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the engagement memberof the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 32 during assembly;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the support member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 32 during assembly;

FIG. 35 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the locking member ofthe anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 32 during assembly;

FIG. 36 is a top view of the engagement member of the anti-theft ringassembly of FIG. 32 during assembly;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the support member andtie of the anti-theft ring assembly of FIG. 32 during assembly;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the anti-theft ringassembly of FIG. 32 fully assembled;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the anti-theft ringassembly of FIG. 32 fully assembled;

FIG. 40 is a front, perspective view of the anti-theft ring assembly ofFIG. 32 fully assembled illustrating rotation of the ring assembly; and

FIG. 41 is a front, perspective view of the anti-theft ring assembly ofFIG. 32 fully assembled illustrating rotation of the ring assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an anti-theft assembly foruse with a ring. As used herein, the term “ring” refers to any jewelryitem having a generally circular shank, including but not limited tofinger rings, toe rings and bellybutton rings. As also used herein, theterm “electronic article surveillance” tag or marker refers to anyconventional electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensor that triggersan alarm if not detached or disarmed before the product is removed froma designated area, such as a store.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-6, an exemplary first embodiment of ananti-theft ring assembly 10 used to deter theft of a ring 12 isillustrated. The anti-theft ring assembly 10 includes a base 14 that canbe used to support an EAS marker 15; a product engagement member 16including a support member 18 that supports the ring 12 during use and alocking member 20 that secures the support member 18 to the base 14; andan attachment member 22 for securing the ring 12 to the support member18.

In the present embodiment, the base 14 may be a card, which can be usedwith a card display rack (not shown). Card 14 includes an opening 24sized to receive a portion of the engagement member 16 there through. Asillustrated best in FIGS. 6 and 8, in the present embodiment the opening24 has a generally circular shape with a pair of notches 24 a, 24 b oneither side for receiving corresponding legs 26 a, 26 b of supportmember 18 there through, as described in greater detail below. Opening24 may, alternately have other shapes, as would be known to those ofskill in the art. However, the opening should be shaped and sized sothat the engagement member can be inserted therein and rotate freelywithin the opening once fully assembled. Card 14 is substantially planarand includes a first surface 14 a and a second surface 14 b, oppositethe first surface. An EAS marker 15 may be secured to either side 14 a,b of the card 14, in order to further deter theft of the card, as bestillustrated in FIG. 3. The card 14 may also include a hanger 17 forremovably attaching the card to a display rack, as is known in the art.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, product engagement member 16includes support member 18 that supports the ring 12 during use andlocking member 20 that secures the support member 18 to the card 14. Inthe present embodiment, the support member 18 and locking member 20 areformed as separate components. Alternatively, they may be formed as asingle, unitary member, as described below with respect to the secondand third embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, support member 18 has a curved orarcuate construction 18 a for supporting a circular shank portion of thering 12. In the present embodiment, the support member 18 also has acurvature sufficient to stop the ring 12 from slipping off the supportmember, or being pulled off by force. The support member 18 may alsopreferably support the ring 12 a sufficient distance from the card 14 soas to allow a consumer to comfortably try on the ring 12 while the ringis supported on the card 14. Support member 18 further includes legs 26a, 26 b that are shaped and sized for insertion within notches 24 a, 24b of opening 24 of card 14 during assembly. The legs 26 a, 26 b may bedesigned to flex slightly as they are inserted within the opening of thecard. At least a portion of the support member is sized to be largerthan opening 24. In the present embodiment, the support member furtherincludes an extension portion 28 a, 28 b that act as a stop once legs 26a, 26 b are inserted within opening 24. As illustrated in FIG. 1, theextensions 28 a, 28 b rest against the first surface 14 a of the card 14in use. The extensions 28 a, 28 b stop the engagement member 16 frombeing pulled through the opening 24 out of engagement with card 14.

Locking member 20 is designed to secure the support member 18 to thecard 14, and also to guide the attachment member 22 and to help securethe attachment member 22 to card 14. In the present embodiment, lockingmember includes a body 30 with indentations 30 a, 30 b for receivinglegs 26 a, 26 b of support member 18 in snap-fit engagement, as bestshown in FIG. 9. The body 30 of locking member 20 acts as a stop oncethe legs 26 a, 26 b are inserted within the indentations 30 a, 30 b,helping to prevent removal of the support member. The locking member 20may also preferably have a relatively small profile so that once thesupport member 18 and locking member 20 are attached to the card 14, itis difficult to grasp the locking member 20 and turn the support member18. This also helps prevent torque from being applied to break theattachment member.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, locking member 20 further includes apair of openings 32 a, 32 b sized to receive a portion of the attachmentmember 22 there through. In the present embodiment, the attachmentmember 22 may be a flexible, tear resistant strap or tie. In use, thetie 22 is inserted through one of the openings 32 a, 32 b, through theopening 24 in the card 14, around the ring 12, back through the opening24, and through the other of the openings 32 a, 32 b before beingsecured within itself, as described in greater detail below. The body 30may also include a first, substantially level surface 34 which restsadjacent the card once assembled. The opposing surface 36 of the body 30may include one or more small protrusions 38, which aid a user ingrasping locking member 20 during assembly, but which are difficult tograsp after assembly. Strap or tie 22 may be any of a variety ofconventional, off-the-shelf products, and is an adjustable, plasticcable tie in the present embodiment.

Construction of the ring assembly will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 7-15. Legs 26 a, 26 b of support member 18 are inserted withinopening 24 in card 14 by flexing the legs slightly inward, toward eachother, and aligning them with notches 24 a, 24 b (FIG. 7). Once insertedwithin the opening 24 the extensions 28 a, 28 b rest against the firstsurface 14 a of the card 14 and act as a stop to prevent the supportmember 18 from being pulled through the opening 24 (FIG. 8A). Theindentations 30 a, 30 b of the locking member 20 are then aligned withthe legs 26 a, 26 b (FIG. 8B) and the support member is secured with thelocking member 20 in a snap-fit engagement (FIG. 9). In the positionillustrated in FIG. 9 the engagement member 16 is secured to the card14.

To secure the ring 12 to the engagement member 16, a leading end 22 a ofthe tie 22 is inserted through one of the openings 32 a, 32 b in lockingmember 20 and through the opening in the card 14 (FIGS. 10-11). Theleading end 22 a is then inserted through the ring 12, back through theopening 24 in card 14, and through the other of the openings 32 a, 32 bin locking member 20 (FIG. 12). The leading end 22 a is then insertedthrough the trailing end 22 b of the tie 22, and pulled until the ring12 is seated on the support member 18 (FIG. 13). Once the leading end 22a of the tie 22 is inserted into the trailing end 22 b, the tie isadjustable in only one direction, to tighten the tie, as is known in theart. Once the tie 22 is tightened so that the ring 12 is seated on thesupport member 18, final tightening and cutting of the tie 22 can bedone. A cable tie gun 40 can be utilized to ratchet the tie 22 to itstightest position without damaging the card 14, and cut the tie 22 (FIG.14). The cable tie gun 40 is also a conventional, off-the-shelf devicethat is readily available and known in the art. Once the leading edge 22a of the tie 22 has been cut, the anti-theft ring assembly 10 iscomplete (FIG. 15). Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, if a consumerattempts to twist or turn ring 12 in an attempt to create torquesufficient to break tie 22, the engagement member 16 will simply rotatewithin opening 24 on card 14 and the ring 12 will remain attachedthereto. In order for a consumer to remove the ring 12 from theengagement member 16, the tie 22 must be cut. To cut the tie 22, aconventional pair of scissors can be inserted within channel 41 (FIGS.3-5).

Referring now to FIGS. 22-28, an exemplary second embodiment of ananti-theft ring assembly used to deter theft of a ring is illustrated.In this embodiment, the same or similar elements as the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-21 are labeled with the same reference numbers, preceded withthe numeral “1”. The anti-theft ring assembly 110 likewise includes abase 114 that can be used to support an EAS marker; a product engagementmember 116 including a support member 118 that supports the ring 112during use and a locking member 120 that secures the support member 118to the base 114; and an attachment member 122 for securing the ring 112to the support member 118. However, in this embodiment the supportmember 118 and the locking member 120 are formed as a single, unitarymember.

In the present embodiment, support member 118 also has a curved orarcuate construction 118 a for supporting a circular shank portion ofthe ring 112 and to prevent the ring 12 from slipping off the supportmember, or being pulled off by force. Support member 118 does not,however, include legs for insertion within notches 124 a, 124 b ofopening 124 of card 114. Instead, locking member 120 includes a body 130and legs 142 a, 142 b extending from the body that are shaped and sizedfor insertion within notches 124 a, 124 b of opening 124 of card 114during assembly (FIG. 23). The legs 142 a, 142 b may be designed to flexslightly toward each other as in order to be more readily insertedwithin the notches 124 a, 124 b. Once inserted through the notches 124a, 124 b the legs 142 a, 142 b rest against the second surface 114 b ofthe card 114 (FIG. 25). The legs 142 a, 142 b stop the engagement memberfrom being pulled through the opening and out of engagement with thecard. Support member 118 also includes extension portions 128 a, 128 bthat act as a stop once legs 126 a, 126 b are inserted within opening124. As illustrated in FIG. 24, the extensions 128 a, 128 b rest againstthe first surface 114 a of the card 114 during use. The extensions alsostop the engagement member from being pulled through the opening and outof engagement with the card.

Locking member 120 is likewise designed to secure the engagement member116 to the card 114, but in the present embodiment does not guide thetie 122 to more securely attach the tie 122 to card 114. Instead, asshown in FIG. 26, support member 118 includes an opening 144 that isused to guide the tie 122 and securely attach the tie 122 to the firstsurface 114 a (in this embodiment the front surface) of card 114.

Construction of the ring assembly will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 22-28. Legs 142 a, 142 b of locking member 120 are insertedwithin opening 124 in card 114 by flexing the legs slightly inward,toward each other, and aligning them with notches 124 a, 124 b (FIGS.22-23). Once inserted within the opening 124 (FIG. 24), the extensions128 a, 128 b rest against the first surface 114 a of the card 114 andact as a stop to prevent the support member 118 from being pulledthrough the opening 124. Likewise, the legs 142 a, 142 b of lockingmember 120 rest against the second surface 114 b of the card 114 to stopthe engagement member from being pulled through the opening (FIG. 25).The engagement member is now secured to the card 14. To secure the ring112 to the engagement member 116, a leading end 122 a of the tie 122 isinserted through opening 144 in support member 118, through the ring112, and through the trailing end 122 b of the tie 122 (FIG. 27).

After the leading end of the tie is inserted into the trailing end, thetie is adjustable in one direction, to tighten the tie, as is known inthe art. The tie is then tightened until the ring 112 is seated on thesupport member 118, and final tightening and cutting of the tie is thendone by a cable gun, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-21. Oncethe leading edge of the tie has been cut, the anti-theft ring assemblyis complete (FIG. 28).

Referring now to FIGS. 32-39, an exemplary third embodiment of ananti-theft ring assembly used to deter theft of a ring is illustrated.In this embodiment, the same or similar elements as any of the previousembodiments are labeled with the same reference numbers, preceded withthe numeral “2”. The anti-theft ring assembly 210 likewise includes abase 214 that can be used to support an EAS marker; a product engagementmember 216 including a support member 218 that supports the ring 212during use and a locking member 220 that secures the support member 218to the base 214; and an attachment member 222 for securing the ring 212to the support member 218. However, in this embodiment the supportmember 218 and the locking member 220 are formed as a single, unitarymember.

In the present embodiment, support member 218 also has a curved orarcuate construction 218 a for supporting a circular shank portion ofthe ring 212 and to prevent the ring 212 from slipping off the supportmember, or being pulled off by force. Support member 218 does not,however, include legs for insertion within notches 224 a, 224 b ofopening 224 of card 214. Instead, locking member 220 includes a body 230and legs 242 a, 242 b extending from the body that are shaped and sizedfor insertion within notches 224 a, 224 b of opening 224 of card 214during assembly (FIG. 32). The legs 242 a, 242 b may be designed to flexslightly toward each other as in order to be more readily insertedwithin the opening 224. Once inserted through the notches 224 a, 224 bthe legs 242 a, 242 b rest against the second surface 214 b of the card214 (FIG. 35). The legs 242 a, 242 b stop the engagement member frombeing pulled through the opening and out of engagement with the card.Support member 218 also includes extension portion 228 a, 228 b thatacts as a stop once legs 226 a, 226 b are inserted within opening 224.As illustrated in FIG. 34, extensions 228 a, 228 b rest against thefirst surface 214 a of the card 214 during use. The extensions also stopthe engagement member from being pulled through the opening and out ofengagement with the card.

Locking member 220 is likewise designed to secure the engagement member216 to card 214, and in the present embodiment also guides the tie 222to more securely attach the tie 222 to card 214. Locking member 220 alsoincludes an opening 232 sized to receive a portion of the tie 222 therethrough. In use, tie 222 is inserted through opening 232, into opening224 in the card 214, around ring 212, back through opening 224, and issecured within itself, as described in greater detail below.

Construction of the ring assembly will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 32-39. Legs 242 a, 242 b of locking member 220 are insertedwithin opening 224 in card 214 by flexing the legs slightly inward,toward each other, and aligning them with notches 224 a, 224 b (FIGS.32-33). Once inserted within the opening 224 (FIG. 34), the extensions228 a, 228 b rest against the first surface 214 a of the card 214 andact as a stop to prevent the support member 218 from being pulledthrough the opening 224. Likewise, the legs 242 a, 242 b of lockingmember 220 rest against the second surface 214 b of the card 214 to stopthe engagement member from being pulled through the opening (FIG. 35).The engagement member is now secured to the card 214. To secure the ring212 to the engagement member 216, a leading end 222 a of the tie 222 isinserted through opening 232 in the locking member 220, through theopening in the card, through ring 212, and through the trailing end 222b of the tie 222 (FIG. 37). After the leading end of the tie is insertedinto the trailing end, the tie is adjustable in one direction, totighten the tie, as is known in the art. The tie is then tightened untilthe ring 212 is seated on the support member 218, and final tighteningand cutting of the tie is then done by a cable gun, as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 1-21. Once the leading edge of the tie has beencut, the anti-theft ring assembly is complete (FIG. 38).

Referring now to FIGS. 40 and 41, if a consumer attempts to twist orturn ring 212 in an attempt to create torque sufficient to break tie222, the engagement member 216 will simply rotate within opening 224 oncard 214 and the ring 212 will remain attached thereto. In order for aconsumer to remove the ring 212 from the engagement member 216, the tie222 must be cut. To cut the tie 222, a conventional pair of scissors canbe inserted within channel 241 (FIGS. 3-5).

Referring now to FIGS. 29-31 alternate embodiments for opening 24 areillustrated. As will be appreciated, the opening 24 can take any of avariety of configurations, provided that the engagement member can beinserted therein. FIG. 29 illustrates a substantially circular opening324. FIG. 30 illustrates a substantially circular opening 424 withnotches 424 a, b, c, d. Finally, FIG. 31 illustrates a substantiallyrectangular opening 524.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changesin form and details may be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Forexample, the materials disclosed herein may be readily changed, as maythe dimensions and geometric configurations. Also, the card may or maynot be used with a display. The configuration of the openings for thecard may also be changed, exemplary modifications including, but notlimited to those illustrated in FIGS. 29-31. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art willenvision other modifications within the scope, spirit and intent of theinvention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An anti-theft assembly comprising: a baseincluding a first surface and an opposing second surface and having anopening disposed there through; an engagement member including: (a) asupport member constructed and arranged to support a ring, (b) a lockingmember constructed and arranged to secure the support member to thebase, the locking member including a body and a pair of legs extendingfrom either side of the body; a portion of the engagement member beingconstructed and arranged to be inserted through the opening in the base;and wherein upon insertion within the opening in the base and applying atwisting force to the engagement member, the engagement member rotateswithin the opening.
 2. The anti-theft assembly of claim 1, wherein thebase includes the first surface and the opposing second surface, theopening being disposed there through and wherein when assembled the pairof legs rest against the opposing second surface of the base.
 3. Theanti-theft assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is a card constructedand arranged to be used with a display.
 4. The anti-theft assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the support member and the locking member are a single,unitary member.
 5. The anti-theft assembly of claim 1, wherein thesupport member further includes an extension portion constructed andarranged to act as a stop, positioned against the first surface of thebase when assembled.
 6. The anti-theft assembly of claim 1, furtherincluding an attachment member constructed and arranged to secure thering to the support member.